---
title: 'Navigation Engineer III at Red Canyon Engineering & Software'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/navigation-engineer-iii-red-canyon-engineering-software-westminster-36b76z7bd25q'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Navigation Engineer III at Red Canyon Engineering & Software

- **Company:** Red Canyon Engineering & Software
- **Location:** Westminster, CO
- **Compensation:** $116k–$148k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-06-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/redcanyonsoftware/b0d5e62a-7ef5-437b-bac2-5a29e4ce8a72

## Job description

We are seeking a Navigation Engineer III to join a team that is leading humanity back to the Moon and pioneering innovative solutions in the space industry. Based in Westminster, Colorado, this incredible team is looking for a Spacecraft Navigation Engineer who's eager to push the state of the art in the aerospace industry.

This position is responsible for development of navigation algorithms, supporting a technically diverse team, and conducting detailed analyses related to spacecraft navigation. The ideal candidate will have experience in developing spacecraft navigation software, evaluating new estimation formulations, and improving legacy approaches to spacecraft navigation. This role will support multiple projects and programs.  Our exciting flight programs include CAPSTONE, an ARTEMIS pathfinder spacecraft operating in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) at Earth-Moon L2, and Oracle, an Air Force Research Lab mission for space situational awareness at the Moon.

This position will be headquartered at our customer's Westminster, Colorado offices and is primarily an on-premises role. The Spacecraft Navigation Engineer will work closely with a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on spacecraft navigation, mission design, and technology development.

This position is open to U.S. Persons only (U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent residents), as required by applicable laws and regulations.

We do not provide visa sponsorship or support work authorization for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities:

- Perform spacecraft navigation analyses, including orbit determination, trajectory reconstruction, and covariance assessment.
- Configure, tune, and validate Kalman filters and other estimators for radiometric, optical, and GPS navigation.
- Set up and run navigation toolchains (e.g., MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT), including force and measurement models.
- Support navigation operations, including console activities, routine OD updates, and procedure refinement.
- Communicate navigation results and recommendations to customer and mission teams.
- Support navigation requirement and task identification and work planning.
- Contribute to IRAD and BD efforts

Required Qualifications:

- 5–8 years of professional experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics roles.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.
- Hands-on experience applying Kalman filters or related state estimation techniques, including basic tuning and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency with at least one major navigation/astrodynamics tool (e.g., MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT, STK).
- Working knowledge of tracking measurements (range, Doppler, angles, GPS, optical) and their impact on accuracy and observability.
- Ability to use Python, MATLAB, or similar tools to automate navigation analyses and data processing.
- Strong analytical and communication skills for presenting navigation findings to diverse stakeholders.
- U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident), able to work on-site in Westminster, CO.

Desired:

- Experience leading spacecraft flight operations (OD updates, trajectory monitoring, maneuver planning).
- Experience as lead or supporting navigation engineer during the development phase of a flight program.
- Familiarity with cislunar or three-body orbit regimes (e.g., NRHOs, Lagrange orbits) and associated navigation strategies.
- Experience using MONTE for OD, covariance analysis, and measurement/force model configuration.
- Understanding of timing and clock errors, error sources, and tracking network constraints on navigation performance.
- Experience contributing to navigation-related proposals or IRAD (e.g., technical sections, estimates, prototype estimators).
- Active or prior security clearance a plus.

## About Red Canyon Engineering & Software

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Red Canyon Engineering & Software is a Denver-based aerospace and defense engineering firm that develops flight software, systems engineering, and mission-critical technology for space exploration and national security programs.
- **Entity Type**: Private — funding stage not disclosed; SBA-certified HUBZone and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- **Headquarters**: 1200 Pennsylvania St, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80203, United States
- **Founded**: 2000
- **Founders**: Barry Hamilton — CEO & Founder

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense & Space; Aerospace Engineering; Software Engineering
- **Target customers**: B2G/B2B — U.S. government agencies (NASA, NOAA, NREL, JPL, DOD), aerospace primes, and commercial space customers
- **Mission/purpose**: "To create innovative engineering solutions to answer science’s most challenging questions about our ecosystem and the cosmos."

## Products & Services
- **Flight Software / cFS**: Core Flight Software (cFS) and embedded flight software development for spacecraft simulation, modeling, closed-loop testing, and mission operations.
- **Systems Engineering & Integration (I&T)**: Satellite systems engineering, assembly, integration, and test support, including remote satellite I&T roles.
- **Simulation & Modeling**: Navigation simulation, modeling tools, and test environments for aerospace and defense missions.
- **Mechanical Design & Analysis**: Structural analysis and mechanical design services for space and defense hardware.
- **Engineering & Technical Services**: Broad engineering services for government and commercial customers, including R&D, systems engineering, and AI-enabled defense solutions.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue estimated at **$20.9M**; total funding not publicly available
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: NASA, NOAA, NREL, JPL, DOD, Lockheed Martin Space, Raytheon, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Ball Aerospace, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Honeywell, Maxar, Moog, Walt Disney Imagineering, SAIC, and others
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew **+4.7% YoY** to approximately **35 employees**
  - Active job postings increased **+350% quarter-over-quarter** at the time of research
  - Selected as an awardee on the Missile Defense Agency’s **SHIELD IDIQ contract** — a 10-year, multiple-award vehicle with a potential **$151B ceiling** for multi-domain defense capabilities
  - Maintains a diverse portfolio spanning aerospace, defense, robotics, and engineering research

## Competitive Advantages
- **Small-business agility with mission credibility**: Deep relationships with NASA, DOD, and major primes despite a lean team.
- **Certified SDVOSB and HUBZone**: Eligible for set-aside contracts and viewed as a strategic partner for government customers.
- **Specialized flight-software expertise**: Strong reputation in Core Flight Software (cFS), simulation, and embedded systems.
- **Founder-led and employee-focused culture**: Low politics, CEO open-door policy, and stable project portfolio reduce churn risk.
- **Flexible work model**: Work-location-agnostic posture where customer requirements allow, with a mix of remote, hybrid, and on-site roles.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale capabilities through the **MDA SHIELD IDIQ** and pursue task orders in R&D, systems engineering, modeling & simulation, AI-enabled solutions, and mission-critical defense services.
- Continue serving NASA’s space exploration and science missions, including Mars, comet, and human spacecraft programs.
- Recruit and retain top-tier engineers who can integrate seamlessly with customer teams.
- Maintain a values-driven culture focused on education, conservation, long-term awareness, and public outreach for space exploration.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as a "kick-ass culture" that emphasizes passion, minimal politics, and enjoyment of the work; employees frequently highlight project variety and a strong reputation across aerospace and robotics.
- **Work model**: Flexible/modified schedules and work-location-agnostic roles when customer approval allows; many current openings are remote or hybrid, but some are on-site customer-dependent.
- **Compensation & benefits**:
  - Competitive salaries, including reported estimates such as **Flight Software Engineer ~$128.7K**, **Recruiter ~$78.8K**, and **Accounting Supervisor ~$95.4K** annually
  - Health, dental, vision, telehealth, and HSA with employer match
  - **401(k) with 6% employer contribution** with no employee match required
  - Year-end profit sharing
  - HUBZone monetary incentives
  - Employee referral and new-business referral bonuses
  - Paid opportunities for research, conferences, and public outreach
- **Reviews**: Employer rating **4.0/5.0** from 16 reviews, with **Work-Life 4.3**, **Culture 4.1**, **Career 4.0**, and **Compensation 3.9**.
- **Leadership access**: CEO open-door policy via call, text, or video chat.
- **Team events**: Launches, concerts, happy hours, and community engagement activities.

## Sources
1. [redcanyonsoftware.com](https://redcanyonsoftware.com/about-us/)
2. [redcanyonsoftware.com](https://redcanyonsoftware.com/why-work-for-us/)
3. [craft.co](https://craft.co/red-canyon-engineering-software)
4. [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/red-canyon-engineering)
5. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/redcanyonsoftware)

## Other roles at Red Canyon Engineering & Software

- [Principal Software Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-software-systems-engineer-red-canyon-engineering-software-united-2c6sx38xgnrs) — United States
- [Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-software-engineer-red-canyon-engineering-software-united-states-9g7cvwz7t8sa) — United States
- [Senior GNC Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-gnc-engineer-red-canyon-engineering-software-united-states-pppz7b87w58n) — United States
- [Senior Systems Engineer IV](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-iv-red-canyon-engineering-software-united-states-da04cb685gn2) — United States
- [Senior Navigation Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-navigation-engineer-red-canyon-engineering-software-westminster-tzyv4s979es1) — Westminster, CO
- [Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-software-engineer-red-canyon-engineering-software-united-states-h8yh2q9e5ffa) — United States
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